Italy U21s respond to the equaliser: Camarda and Lipani secure victory in France
The result comes from the previous evening: Italy’s Under-21s beat France 2-1 in Laval on November 13, with goals from Francesco Camarda and Luca Lipani.[1][2]
This was a friendly for Silvio Baldini’s side, separate from the senior international already covered in this column.[1][2]
## An equaliser that did not change the plan
After a goalless first half, Camarda put Italy ahead from Matteo Dagasso’s pass; Versini equalised before Lipani struck the winner with his right foot.[1]
The federation’s report records the goals in the 53rd, 61st and 69th minutes.[1]
The sequence suggests a specific reading: Italy did not win by avoiding every difficulty, but by responding after losing their lead.
Winning the ball back is the tactical thread: both the FIGC and Gazzetta describe high pressing that created opportunities, including the move leading to Lipani’s goal.[1][2]
There is no need to turn a friendly into a promise about the next European Championship: the evidence establishes a performance and a result, not a trophy already won.
## The work that protected the lead
The defensive contributions mattered too: Bartesaghi slid in to block Gomis after the interval, while Palmisani preserved the win with a late save from Ethan Mbappé’s free kick.[1][2]
Those moments prevent the match from becoming simply a story about its two Italian scorers: attacking again also depended on holding firm when France pushed back.
In comments published by the federation, Baldini emphasised willingness to fight, contest duels and play with courage: that is the coach’s assessment, distinct from the match record.[1]
The FIGC lists Belgium as Italy’s next opponent on Monday at 18:15 CET; at this edition’s cutoff, that match remains in the future.[1]
Read the [official FIGC report](https://www.figc.it/en/national-teams/news/camarda-and-lipani-fire-italy-u21s-to-victory-in-france-g9cjretq) alongside [Gazzetta’s account](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/13-11-2026/francia-italia-under-21-risultato-gol-diretta-amichevole.shtml).[1][2]
## Sources
[1] https://www.figc.it/en/national-teams/news/camarda-and-lipani-fire-italy-u21s-to-victory-in-france-g9cjretq
[2] https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/13-11-2026/francia-italia-under-21-risultato-gol-diretta-amichevole.shtml